The Oregon Council on Civil Rights (OCCR), appointed by Commissioner Brad Avakian under ORS 659A.815, serves to advise the commissioner, BOLI and the state generally on matters related to education about and enforcement of civil rights in Oregon.

The mission of the OCCR is:

To study and monitor the causes, effects and solutions of unlawful discrimination in Oregon;

To consider legislative and agency proposals and actions;

To foster communication, goodwill, cooperation and conciliation among groups interested in civil rights across the state, and between these groups and the state; and

To advise the commissioner, and other interested state agencies or officials, on policies and procedures related to education about and enforcement of civil rights.

The members of OCCR work to advise the Commissioner and the state generally on all matters related to education about and enforcement of civil rights in Oregon, including: the administration of protected class provisions; making recommendations on new and existing civil rights protections and rulemaking to administer civil rights law most effectively; and fostering better enforcement, outreach and education efforts to aggressively fight unlawful discrimination in Oregon.

Council Organization

OCCR is an advisory committee which works collaboratively under the guidance of a Chair, who is elected by colleagues to set agendas and help facilitate council work. OCCR's current Chair is Sunny Petit.

Pay Inequality in Oregon Report

Pay Inequality in Oregon is the culmination of three years of a research and recommendations process by the Oregon Council on Civil Rights. It is a compendium of current issues, laws, programs, and policies, Pay Inequality in Oregon, details a number of promising strategies for Oregon’s leadership to address the gender pay gap in our state.

While OCCR advises the commissioner and BOLI on civil rights policy issues, it is a voluntary, citizen advisory board and does not play a direct role in the enforcement of civil rights law in Oregon. Questions regarding civil rights law, enforcement and filing a civil rights complaint should be directed to BOLI Civil Rights Division staff at 971-673-0764 or by email at crdemail@boli.state.or.us.